Electrical switch



Jan. 17, 1933.

J. C. REA

ELECTRICAL SWITCH Filed July 12, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet l mes 62 Fea A TTORNE Y Jan. 17, 1933. J. c. REA 1,894,421

ELECTRICAL SWITCH Filed July 12. 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR.' Jamesfeq/ BMMMMM ATTORNEYS. 77

i but showing the parts in transverse cross sec- Patented Jan. 17, 1933 UNITED ksiairzs PriENiN OFFICE JAMES C. REA, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR T0 PACIFIC ELECTRIC MANU- FACTURING CORPORATION, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, A CORPORATION 0F CALIFORNIA y ELECTRICAL SWITCH Application sied July i2, 1929. serial No. 377,735.

rIhis invention relates generally to the construction of electrical switches, particularly switches utilized in connection with high tension electrical power distribution.

It is a general object of this invention to devise novel and improved apparatus for carrying a plurality of switch element-s of a multi-pole switch, whereby these elements can be rocked or oscillated in unison to cooperate with relatively stationary switch elements.

It is a further object of this invention to devise a rocking or oscillating mechanism of the character outlined above, which will be reliable in operation and which will not be detrimentally effected by adverse weather conditions.

It is a further object of this invention to provide novel means which will facilitate the adjustment of a plurality of pins or arms, for carrying movable elements of a multipole electrical switch.

It is a further object of this invention to devise an effective structure of the above character which can be readily assembled on elevated towers or plat-forms. l

It is a further object of this invention to devise a multi-pole electrical switch having relatively small pivot pins upon which the switch element supporting pins can be rocked, and which also incorporates additional means whereby the switch pins are normally connected together to move in unison.

Further objects of the invention `will appear from the following description in which I have set forth the preferred embodiment of my invention. It is to be understood that the appended claims are to be accorded a range of equivalents consistent with the state of the y prior art.

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a multi-pole switch incorporating my invention. Y

Fig. 2 is a side elevational detail, illustrating my rocker bearing and its associated parts on an enlarged scale.

Fig. 3 is a detail View similar to Fig. 2,

tion with ,the pins or arms in acdiierent operating position.

Fig. 4 is a cross sectional detail taken along the line 4 4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a cross sectional detail taken along the line 5-5 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a detail perspective view illustrating a preferred construction for one of the journal brackets which I employ.

Fig. 7 is a detail perspective view of a spacer member utilized in my construction.

Fig. 8 is a detail perspective view of another part of my apparatus.

Fig. 9 is a side elevational detail taken along the line 9-9 of Fig. 1. K f Y p rlhat form of my invention illustrated in the drawings includes a plurality of switch arms 11, serving to carry a plurality of movable'switch elements or blades 12. Blades 12 arearranged to cooperate with a plurality of relatively stationary switch elements or contacts 13. Switch elements 12 are mounted upon suitable insulators 14, which in turn are mounted upon the ends of arms 11. Stationary switch elements 13 are shown carried by insulators 16, which in turny are mounted upon the platform or switch support 17. Connections to the movable switch elements 12 can be made thru flexible conductors 18, which connect these elements to the stationary terminals 19.

lVith a switch. of the above character, it is common to mount the arms 11 in such a manner that they can be swung from closed position shown in full lines in Fig. 1, to a position such as illustrated in dotted lines in this figure, to ydisconnect elements 12 from the stationary elements 13. In the past this movement has been accomplished by mounting arms 11 upon a common rocker shaft. This construction is subject to many disadvantages. For example the rocker shaft must be relatively large in diameter to provide adequate strength, and such a shaft requires a relatively large journal or bearing for each of the arms 11. The use of large bearings is not only expensive but they oiler considerable friction and are apt to be detrimentally afl'ected by adverse climatic conditions.

In my invention in place of utilizing a single rocker shaft for connecting together the small pivot pins, and a separate bar is employed for connecting together arms l1 so thatthese arms will move in unison. Thus referring to the drawings, I utilize a suitable journal bracket 21 in conjunction with each arm 11, this bracket lhaving a base portion y22 to facilitate mounting -upon the plat-` form 17 or other support. A pivot pin 23 of relatively smalldiameter is j ournaled in the n upper portion-of each bracket.

In order to secure the arms 11 to their corresponding pivot pins 23, each varm is shown provi-ded with a lower flanged portion 24, and interposed between this portion and the corresponding pivot pin 23, there is lafspacer or upper clamping plate 26. Positioned upon the under side ofeachpin 23 and adapted tobe secured to the Acorresponding arm 11, there is a member 27, -which can be a metal casting similar to that shown in F ig.

Vthe upper portion of journal bracket 21,

member 26v is provided with a slot 33, while member 27 is correspondingly bifurcated to provide a -slot 34.' F or properly clamping member 27 4to the corresponding member 26,

registering Aaperturesare provided to accom- Y modate a. plurality ofclamping bolts.36,.gen

erally two or more clam'pingbolts being .prof vided upon each side ofthe pivotpin 23.

When bolts 36 are tightened, they serve to `f securely clamp members 126 and 27, uponthe end portions of pivot pin 23, thus causing i this -pin tov rotate 'together with arm 11 and vto journal-within bracket 21. v

' In order tocause all of the arms 11 to rock in unison, I have shown a relatively rigid metal rod or bar 37 extending transversely of the arms Ik11', and-spaced from but .substantially parallelftothe line of centers of pivot Vpins 23. This rod is rigidly secured toeach of therv members 27, this'beingconveniently vaccomplished-inreach instance by the use of.`

U-bolts 38 each of vwhich rsurroun-d bar 37 and extend thru apertures provided in flange portion 2 9. f Y

In assembling the-parts of my switch, vthe vjournal brackets 21 are first secured to the Vplatform 17 orfother support,.in spacedrelations'hipand'with theaxes of pivot pin 23v in alinement.;` vf'Iheiir'idividual arms 11 are then 'clamped to the f-s'ep'arate pivot V.pins 23, by

Y properly assembling ,members and `27.Y lith arms A11 swung back vinxopenswitchposition shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1, bar 37 can be lifted over the stationary switch elements 13 and positioned beneath the members 27, after which this baris clamped in position by means of U-bolts 38. After bar 37 has been connected, the angular position of each individual arm 11 can be adjusted so thateach of the switch elements 12 properly engages its corresponding stationary element 13, when the switch is vin closed position. This can be accomplished by tightening or loosening the bolts 36 upon either side of the pivot pin 23, thus changing the angularity between a switch arm 11 and the corresponding member 27. TWhen the proper angular position has been secured, bolts 36. are tightened to keep the desired final adjustment.

The switch arms 11 can be rocked from open to closed positions `by any desired means. Forexample I have shown a lever l1 secured to shaft 37, and lConnected to reciprocable actuating rod 42. o

My device can be operated with a minimum amount of friction, due to the small pivot .pins 23, although the connection between" the arms is suliiciently rigid to prevent sagging. Furthermore the manner of journaling the arms makes operation reliableatall times irrespective of climatic conditions.

I claim: r

1. vIn Aa multipo'le electric switch, a plurality of switch arms, switch elements carried by said arms, a lever member associated with each of said'arms, adjustable coupling means connecting each of said switchvarms ywith itsf associated lever member, a pivot pin foreach switch arm embraced by said coupling means, said pivot pins being in substantial alinement and a rigid` bar interconnecting all of said lever members and extending substantially parallel to the axis of alinement ofsaid pivot pins. Y Y u 2. InY a multipole electrical switch, a yplurality of spaced switch arms adapted to extend in the same general direction, switch elements carried by said arms, a bar extending ylaterally of said arms, members adjustably secured lto corresponding ends'of said arms, means for rigidly connecting saidmembers tosaid bar,'pivot pins retained between thel arms and said members, and relatively vstationary journal means engaging said pins I whereby the arms can roc-k inunison; n

13. In-a multipole electrical switch, a plurality of spaced switch arms adaptedtoex- 'Y tend in the same generall direction', switch elements carried by said arms, a bar extending laterally ofrsaid arms, members adjustably clampedito corresponding ends of .said-arms,

means for rigidly connectingV said members to said bar, pivot pins interposedbetween the arms ,and 'said membersk whereby they ex- Y tend Ain alinementalong'an axis spaced but parallel with respect to ythe"bar,and`sta tionary journal brackets engaging'said pins.

4. In an electrical switch, a switch arm, a switch element carried by one end of said arm, a pivot gin disposed at the other end of the arm an extending laterally thereto, a member secured to the arm for securing the pin to the arm end, said member being bifurcated, means for securing said member to the arm, and a relatively stationary ljournal bracket extendin Within the bifurcated ortion of said mem r and engaging the pivot p 5. In a device ofthe character described, a switch arm, a switch element carried by one end of said arm, a pivot pin disposed at the other end of the arm and extending laterally thereto, a member secured to the arm for securing the pin to the arm end, said member being bifurcated, means for securing said member to the arm for angular adjustment of the arm relative to said member, and a relatively stationary journal bracket extending Within the bifurcated portion of said member and engaging the pivot pin.

6. In a device of the character described, an arm, a pivot pin disposed adjacent one end of the arm and extending laterally thereto, a slotted spacer member interposed between the pin and the arms, another slotted member secured to the arm and serving to clamp the pin and spacer member against the arm with the pin between the first and second members, and a relatively stationary journal bracket extending into said slots and engaging an intermediate portion of said pin.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand.

JAMES C. REA. 

